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Old 07-25-2017, 09:34 PM   #181
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the dodge promaster (fiat Ducato) that the bus is based on is front wheel drive, so no drivetrain under the body

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Old 07-25-2017, 09:39 PM   #182
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Busses are like semis

Here is a good video explaining what DOT safety officers look for in a vehicle. Busses have air brakes, big diesel engines and many shared components.


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Old 07-26-2017, 04:39 AM   #183
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the dodge promaster (fiat Ducato) that the bus is based on is front wheel drive, so no drivetrain under the body
Looked at one of the new dodge FWD vans. Seems REALLLY chintzy to me.
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Old 07-26-2017, 06:17 AM   #184
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none of these new vans seem very rugged.. mercedes has been known for years to male good solid trucks.. in europe they were everywhere.. a guy in my neighborhood bought a metris to use in his garage door business.. he also has a 1979 toyota Dually mini truck.. never saw a dually mini pickup but he said that old toyota with its little 4 banger is twice the truck that his fancy new metris is.. the metris is in the shop quite a bit too. and its only a little over a year old.. he doesnt beat on it as all he is doing is carrying some tools and overheard garage doors on the overhead racks..
-Christopher
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Old 08-03-2017, 04:38 PM   #185
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What if I buy a 200-500 dollars van to play being mechanic? I might learn a thing or two.
https://lakeland.craigslist.org/rvs/6212876522.html


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Old 08-03-2017, 05:06 PM   #186
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Busses have air brakes, big diesel engines and many shared components.[/URL]
"Busses" have air brakes???

buss
[buhs]

noun, verb (used with or without object)
1. kiss.

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Old 08-03-2017, 08:26 PM   #187
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"Busses" have air brakes???

buss
[buhs]

noun, verb (used with or without object)
1. kiss.

no idea what your comment means, but maybe too much drinking ?
anyhow, is it a good idea to buy a 'cheap old and beat up van' to practice mechanical work ?
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Old 08-03-2017, 08:32 PM   #188
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What if I buy a 200-500 dollars van to play being mechanic? I might learn a thing or two.
https://lakeland.craigslist.org/rvs/6212876522.html


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That's more or less what I've been thinking you should to. A cheap "learner" vehicle.
But start with a little better one to begin with. I'd take a 97-2003 dodge over one of the 80's ones. They're just a bit nicer, imo.
If I were you, I'd keep a lookout for a late 80's to mid-90's "classic" GM van. Parts are everywhere, and they're damn nice vans. Simple, classic, and I think they'll go up in value as the years go by. A nice 350 or even 4.3 six is all you really need in a van, and those are both great GM engines.
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Old 08-03-2017, 08:44 PM   #189
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That's more or less what I've been thinking you should to. A cheap "learner" vehicle.
But start with a little better one to begin with. I'd take a 97-2003 dodge over one of the 80's ones. They're just a bit nicer, imo.
If I were you, I'd keep a lookout for a late 80's to mid-90's "classic" GM van. Parts are everywhere, and they're damn nice vans. Simple, classic, and I think they'll go up in value as the years go by. A nice 350 or even 4.3 six is all you really need in a van, and those are both great GM engines.
I've been looking for an older chevy for some time now, but I want to stay under 2k. The last one I bid on sold for 3700+fees.
https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/au...ew?auc=1900876
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Old 08-03-2017, 09:02 PM   #190
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I've been looking for an older chevy for some time now, but I want to stay under 2k. The last one I bid on sold for 3700+fees.
https://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/au...ew?auc=1900876
Maybe one that's in the price range/condition of that old dodge?
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Old 08-03-2017, 09:14 PM   #191
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Maybe one that's in the price range/condition of that old dodge?
will keep on looking
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Old 08-04-2017, 10:24 AM   #192
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Aren't all cars suppose to have power steering fluid? Can't find on the Honda fit.

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Old 08-04-2017, 11:50 AM   #193
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Its like my subaru- ELECTRIC power steering.
But fyi- no, not all cars have power steering. Most do, but plenty older ones didn't have it. My old VW's didn't.
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Old 08-04-2017, 12:11 PM   #194
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Its like my subaru- ELECTRIC power steering.
But fyi- no, not all cars have power steering. Most do, but plenty older ones didn't have it. My old VW's didn't.
Cool, one less fluid to worry about. Lol.

Well, oil change #2 under my belt. I reused the metal washer for the oil drain plug. Is not leaking, is that okay to do?

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Old 08-04-2017, 12:17 PM   #195
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Cool, one less fluid to worry about. Lol.

Well, oil change #2 under my belt. I reused the metal washer for the oil drain plug. Is not leaking, is that okay to do?

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I would advise against re-using it IF its a crush washer. Is it copper or aluminum? Watch it for seepage. On a subaru you CAN get away with it sometimes, and sometimes you end up having to drain and replace the crush washer and refill.
I bought a bunch of crush washers for my car on amazon, so I never have to worry about trying to reuse one.
I'd leave it since you already refilled it. Its no big deal, unless its dripping.
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Old 08-04-2017, 01:46 PM   #196
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Honda Fit is in fact Electric power steering as ECCB notes.. and IF it breaks its $$$ to fix.
-Christopher
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Old 08-04-2017, 04:41 PM   #197
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Well, let's hope it doesn't break then.
I think I should look over the brake pads, I might need new ones. The break fluid was low last time I took car to mechanic.

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Old 08-04-2017, 05:55 PM   #198
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Well, let's hope it doesn't break then.
I think I should look over the brake pads, I might need new ones. The break fluid was low last time I took car to mechanic.

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The fluid goes down slowly as the pads wear, so that would be a good idea.
When did you last have the tires rotated? If its been more than 4 or 5 thousand miles I'd go ahead and rotate the tires while you're at it.
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Old 08-04-2017, 11:06 PM   #199
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How to Rotate Your Tires

found this video for guideline on rotating tires.
I guess I need to buy jackstand x2 and maybe a better jack.

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Old 08-05-2017, 02:05 AM   #200
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Glad to see you wrenching on your on car- will give you confidence on the bus.

Several years back, my buddy bought a brand new Nissan Murano and wanted to start changing oil himself. He drained the old oil, replaced the plug. Then he put the funnel in the auto trans dipstick tube and poured-in a few quarts of fresh motor oil.

He didn't save much money that day...

I wondered about your username:

The Orichas (Orishas) are the intermediaries between God and human beings. They're associated with elements in the natural world.

cool.
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